sweet inspiration & fun baking ideas

My cake fell … and it was fantastic! Actually, it was supposed to fall. It’s a recipe for a flourless chocolate cake that I used straight from the pages of Paula Deen’s Chocolate Celebration Magazine.

I bought this publication several months ago mainly because of the cover… Chocolate and Paula… you can’t go wrong there. But, to be honest I haven’t made anything from it until this Saturday. I’ve looked at it a bunch of times and made notes of all the recipes I want to try, but nothing until now.

So, this weekend, I finally decided to go for her Deep Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake Recipe because I’ve never made a flourless cake before and I was intrigued.I mean, it must be pretty good if someone would make it instead of the one on this cover.

You’ll need a 9-inch springform pan. It has a latch on the side that helps you release the cake. Because there’s no turning this one upside down to get it out.

Place some parchment paper on the bottom so it hangs over. Close the latch to hold the paper in place and secure the sides. You’ll also want to spray the paper with some non-stick cooking spray just to be safe.

After your pan is ready, preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Separate 6 large eggs. Yolks in one bowl and egg whites in another. Set aside.

You’ll also need 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate and 4 oz. dark chocolate. Break it up in a large bowl and add 2 sticks of butter (thank you Paula!). Melt in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between until completely melted and smooth.

Whisk in 1 1/4 cups sugar until combined.

Then add the six egg yolks to the chocolate and sugar mixture, one at a time, whisking after each addition.

Now, in a medium bowl, beat the six egg whites on high with an electric mixer. Beat it for several minutes until stiff peaks form.

It will rise pretty high in the oven, but when you take it out to cool, it will fall. And fall hard. Yay!

Let it cool one hour on the counter and then for at least four hours in the refrigerator before you release it from the springform pan.

And, when you finally do… it will be worth the wait. I didn’t really know what the texture of the inside would be like, but oh my… it was glorious.

Rich and dense and fudgey! Definitely one for true chocolate lover’s. And, If you don’t like things too rich, then stay away. Stay far, far away!

I also sprinkled a little powdered sugar on top to finish it off.

Okay, a lot!

Here’s what it’s supposed to look like. Mine had a few more cracks, but I was completely and utterly happy with it.

But, wait a minute… let me tell you the real reason I made this cake from Paula’s magazine.

There was a slim chance I was going to be able to meet Paula on Sunday (thanks to my friend Ted and help from someone on her team) and I wanted to have one of her dessert recipes under my belt if I did. You know, in case we had a moment to chit chat and talk about butter and stuff. Yeah, right!

My mom and I were so thrilled. She is every bit as beautiful and funny and nice as she is on TV. (And I do mean funny. We also had the opportunity to hear her speak later on and she had the whole place laughing.)

We also met her son, Bobby. Yummy!!! I mean, he was really nice.

Later on, we even met her other yummy, I mean really nice son, Jamie. Unfortunately, I spazzed and didn’t get a picture of him. But, he did help me out with something.

But, that’s okay, because look what Jamie got his mom to do for me just minutes before she went on stage to speak.

Yep, that’s her signature. And, it gets even better.

I’m giving it away! The book… signature and all. Who wants it?

Seriously, at first, I thought I would keep it, and then, I thought… I would keep it! Then, I decided it would be much more fun to give it away. Besides, it could be a great Mother’s Day present for someone. And, don’t feel bad, I’m hoping (fingers crossed) that I can get another copy for myself later.

I would love the cookbook because my 4-yr-old son cooks with me and has named me “Chef Mommy” and he is “Chef Will” and I cherish every moment of cooking with him and know there will be great family recipes in there to teach him. (his future wife will LOVE me when he cooks for her)

I love Paula Deen! She reminds me of the grandmother I lost almost 20 years ago. And also, I’m not at all jealous that you got to meet her. Okay, maybe a little. A lot actually. And I can’t believe you’re giving that book away! You’re much kinder than I am.

April 20, 2009 01:21 PM

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Teresa said...

I love Paula because any time I am homesick (from MS but live in MD now), I turn on food network and just soak up her southern accent :) Plus, her divine love of all things butter is just heavenly.

April 20, 2009 01:22 PM

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Tim Rybak said...

My wife’s a huge Paula fan and I would love to give her the book for Mother’s day!

April 20, 2009 01:22 PM

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G said...

Butter is a beautiful thing. I love watching Paula!

April 20, 2009 01:23 PM

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~Diana~ said...

I LOVE PAULA! I love her recipes and magazines. Her cooking is DIVINE! I would love to have a cookbook of hers! Pretty please!

April 20, 2009 01:23 PM

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Lynda McMillen said...

I would so love to have this book – thanks for offering it! Paula rocks – I make her Gooey Butter Cake for picnics and get togethers & everyone loves it!!

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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Lara said...

I would love a copy of Paula’s book (and the fact that it’s autographed is just the icing on the cake) for a couple of reasons. Firstly, she looks exactly like my mother, who I lost to pancreatic cancer on Mother’s Day weekend 2007. Secondly, I LOVE her recipes. She can just do no wrong in my book. And thirdly… because I have four children, a husband and my disabled father to cook for and I can use all the home cookin’ recipes I can get! :-)

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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txmommy said...

Lovelovelove her!!!

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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Heather said...

I’ve never said Hey Y’all, so today i gave it a try “Hey Y’all!”

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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katy said...

Hmm… I wish I had Paula Deen’s talent in the kitchen! And that cake looks awesome — kind of like a giant pan of brownie. I’m salivating!

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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aggiemomof2 said...

I love Paula Deen–but my mother REALLY loves her! This would be the perfect Mother’s Day present for her! I would be her favorite child for sure!sylviarj at yahoo dot com

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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MommaBlogger said...

Ooooh, I love collecting cookbooks, and you can never have enough real butter when cooking. And Paula Deen is just so pretty :D

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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Janelle said...

Hey y’all! Heehee. I love cookbooks, especially free ones. The cake looks more like a brownie. What’s the texture and consistency like?

April 20, 2009 01:24 PM

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Heidi said...

I think Paula is wonderful and hilarious!

April 20, 2009 01:25 PM

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EG said...

Oh man, I’d better get this book NOW while I’m still pregnant and am eating whatever I want! I’m perfecting my “rich southern recipes to take to potlucks” now when I can practice them and not be thinking about Weight Watchers or any of that insanity.

April 20, 2009 01:25 PM

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Kelly said...

The cake looks divine and look at you, hobnobbing with Paula! AWESOME!

April 20, 2009 01:25 PM

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Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) said...

I love Paula and so does my mom. This would be a great surprise!

April 20, 2009 01:26 PM

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Courtney said...

I’m a wee bit jealous! I LOVE Paula! She is positively hilarious, she seems so sweet, and her food is SO GOOD! I can’t count the number of times I’ve said I wished she were my mom/mother-in-law. Bonus for the mother-in-law because her son is yummy (they both are. :-D).

April 20, 2009 01:26 PM

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Anonymous said...

I love Paula Deen. She’s the real deal. I read her biography and she is honest, funny, a hard worker, and beautiful. Then to top it off the lady can cook!Happy cooking!Susanmsswehla@msn.com

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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stacy said...

My mom would ADORE this!!!

stacyreeves[at]gmail.com

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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acostilow said...

Oh, lord, I love Paula Deen, because she’s so sweet and charming. I love her!

acostilow @ gmail.com

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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Tricia said...

Because I need more chocolate in my life…

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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Kamana said...

I adore the flourless choclate cake! Yum yum yum! But I have to admit, I don’t own a book (or even a single recipe) by Paula … isn’t that reason enough to give me the book? ;)

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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Amy said...

Miss Paula is the best thing! I wish I were her neighbor! My favorite quote of hers is “It tastes so good it makes you want to sass your mamma!”How fabulous you got to meet her…amygirly(at)gmail(dot)com

April 20, 2009 01:27 PM

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Jenny R. said...

She reminds me so much of my Nanny and I think that’s why I love Paula so much!

When I first meet my husbands mother she was just recovering from breast cancer and had gotten a wig to look just like Paula. She loved her so much and thought if she looked a little like her things would somehow be ok. This would be the perfect mothers day gift for her. She would love it! She also loves to add a little bit of butter when she cooks ;)

April 20, 2009 01:28 PM

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Suzie said...

I just started baking about 6 months ago! and every time I go to Sams (witch is 2 a month) I try and get her magazine.I love her ideas and have even used them on several occasions!i WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK!and it would be a great present for my mom too! :) I hope i WIN!

suzie.garcia(at)machiningsolutions-llc(dot)(com)

April 20, 2009 01:29 PM

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Lynette said...

Did it go through? I might not have hit the right button…anyway I said earlier that I would love to have this book. I like to try new recipes and I know these would be good!Thanks!

April 20, 2009 01:29 PM

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ragamuffin child said...

That cake has me drooling…I’ll have to make it this week(end). Who says I have to share??

April 20, 2009 01:30 PM

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Stacy said...

Way cool giveaway. I love Paula. I make her shrimp and cheesey grits. It will make a puppy pull a freight train.

April 20, 2009 01:30 PM

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tbelfo01@baker.edu said...

Love, love, love Paula, and YOU Baerella!Thanks for being so selfless and giving the book away!

April 20, 2009 01:30 PM

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Anonymous said...

Hey Y'all! I love Paula Deen, her story is so amazing! She's been such an inspiration to me and my entire family. You can't help but smile or laugh when watching her shows on Food Network. I've been looking for her cookbooks for my grandmother (who is a huge fan also). This would be an amazing gift for her!Bakerella – I envy you for getting to meet Paula & her yummies (I mean sons).

gellhausb at yahoo dot comThanks from Kansas!Bobbi

April 20, 2009 01:30 PM

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unejoliechose said...

hey y’all!

i’d love this book as a mother’s day present bc my mom luvs paula deen!

… and because if i ask her nicely, she might make that cake for my next birthday. :)

WOW….so cool, I have her first cookbooks that were plastic bound like those church bizarre cookbooks…just when she was up and coming on the food network. I just love her ‘drawl.’ I think everyone would just love for Paula to be your grandma for she is just so darn loveable! I love to have a signed cookbook handsdown!

April 20, 2009 01:30 PM

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stephanie said...

I love Paula! I watch her all the time and wish I had a southern grandma just like her.

April 20, 2009 01:31 PM

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quiltermom2005 said...

I just love Paula. And I love your wonderful, fun recipes. I made your chicken pops for Easter and the only complaint that I got was there wasn’t more!!! Thanks for all the great ideas!

Hey y’all!!Paula is a hoot – who doesn’t love her? My mom would be the recipient of the cookbook – she would be tickled pink!

ojgirl3 at yahoo

April 20, 2009 01:31 PM

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me said...

My mom and I both ADORE Paula… and this blog!

April 20, 2009 01:31 PM

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Jenny said...

Well ya’ll. I really, really like Paula Deen now because she used my quilt book in one of her Christmas publications and it helped me continue to launch my little business! She has the most amazing staff in the world and they all love her! AND, she cooks with a stick of butter each and every time….I mean, seriously, how can you go wrong with that!!!!! Thanks for the chance.

April 20, 2009 01:31 PM

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Deidra said...

I spent the weekend with my mother-in-law and watched Paula’s show for the first time. She made some yummy chicken salad sandwiches. ANYWAY, I found out that my MIL LOVES Paula, and she would love this book!

I love her but it would be a great gift for my mom for Mother’s Day! I will have to try that cake, yum!

April 20, 2009 01:32 PM

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Cheryl said...

I love Paula. Her food is real food not an exotic “fusion” or pushing the envelope of taste.

April 20, 2009 01:32 PM

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Bessie Mae said...

I would love to give this as a wedding gift to a girlfriend that is getting married this summer & (sadly) moving from Savannah, Georgia to El Paso, Texas. She has loved living over there & would love to have this little piece of it to take with her!Fingers Crossed!-Bess, elizabethgmarshall@gmail.com

I would love to try out some of Paula’s recipes! Butter is wonderful :-)

Thanks!Lacey W.

April 20, 2009 01:32 PM

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Sarah said...

My mom and I both love Paula. We like her down home easy recipes, and you can tell she is passionate about cooking by the way she licks her fingers!!saholmes4@gmail.com

April 20, 2009 01:32 PM

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~Mama Skates~ said...

hey y'all! i ? paula!!! & i ? butter even more! ;0)

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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Erin O. said...

Cakes are my life, and Paula’s coconut cake is one of my favorites! I love her!

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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Melissa said...

My daughter and I love Miss Paula. We were looking for a great Banana Pudding and came across hers about 5 years ago. “Heavenly Banana Pudding” and that is Exactly what it is!

Thanks for the great ideas you have all the time.

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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snarflemarfle said...

That cake looks delicious!

And who doesn’t love Paula? I love to listen to her talk…she sounds like my grandmother!

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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Becky said...

OMG! I love Paula! She is just the best

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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Christie said...

Butter makes everything better!

April 20, 2009 01:33 PM

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Leila said...

I love her story and all of the hard work she has done to make it where she is today. She’s funny and down to earth and you just want to hug her.

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Heath said...

I LOVE Paula! Not only do I love Paula, but my 6 year old daughter loves Paula too! I am trying everything I can to make sure and foster her love of cooking and baking and this would be the icing on the (flourless) chocolate cake!!!!

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Blondie said...

I LOVE Paula Deen. She looks just like my mother-in-law, so much that my kids once thought we were watching Nana on TV. Plus, how can you not love recipes that almost always start out with a stick (or more) of butter! My fav is the caramel cake. It has 4 sticks, and takes forever, but it is divine!

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Debbie said...

My sister loves Paula Deen so I would give it to her for Mother’s Day!

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Katherine said...

Paula is my favorite – yummy as the butter she cooks with.

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Nicole said...

I have the same chocolate magazine of Paula’s – I did a chocolate theme for my sister’s briday shower and used many recipes from it! It was a real inspiration!

April 20, 2009 01:34 PM

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Marthe said...

Pick me, pick me, pick me!! I would love to win this cookbook!

April 20, 2009 01:35 PM

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sarah leanne said...

I just love Paula Deen…love everything that she cooks….love that she is old fashinoned, simple, and honest…and am a firm fan of BUTTER! :) Thanks Bakerella…love your sight and ideas! :) Sarah at polarsmile@hotmail.com Thanks! Have a great day!

April 20, 2009 01:35 PM

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Melissa Swisher said...

I love Paula … I watch her when she is on the Q (QVC) and just drool over her! I don’t have any of her cookbooks but would LOVE to try one out. :) Thanks for the great website – you are too talented!

April 20, 2009 01:36 PM

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HL0517 said...

I would love to win this to be able to give to my mom for Mother’s Day and I just love Paula Deen’s sense of humor.

April 20, 2009 01:36 PM

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Abbie's Mama said...

me, my daughter and DH love to watch Paula on TV. YUMMY~Thanks for being willing to part with the book.

April 20, 2009 01:37 PM

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The Brannon Family said...

Hey Y’all! And yes, I really say that. Love Paula and I have LOVED every one of her recipes that I have made. My all time fav is her caramelized brownies.

April 20, 2009 01:37 PM

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Anonymous said...

I just love Paula…I mean how much better can you get: souther cooking, a southern woman, and a southern momma…it just doesn’t get much better.

I love watching Paula! She reminds me of my grandma. I would love to have one of her books!

April 20, 2009 01:38 PM

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Nae said...

That book would be fab! A bite of that chocolate cake would be even better!!

April 20, 2009 01:38 PM

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Lindsay said...

oh that cake…yum! I love Paula and would love her book!!

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Ang said...

How cool to meet her! And butter is goooooooooooood. Just sayin’.

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Melissa said...

Paula Deen cracks me up. I loved her autobiography. She has that good ol’ Southern grit (and love of butter).

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Anonymous said...

Hi! I suggest you to try that dark cake with a special cream at the top. Mix white chocolate with Bayley´s… delicious!!!Kisses, Gabbie.

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Sara said...

Okay, here in the UK I have never heard of her – but I’m now gonna google her and find out all about her! Love the look of that fantastic book as I adore baking x

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Bryn said...

I always buy her holiday magazine and look at it over & over! This year my daily calender is Paula Deen's and she has recipe's throughout ~ it's great!

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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RachelKY said...

I LOVE cooking/baking and am always looking for new recipes to add to my collection!

rdtussey@ gmail.com

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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River said...

That cake looks awesome and I love Paula’s recipes :)

April 20, 2009 01:39 PM

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Saylorsmom said...

I love watching her shows especially when that hottie bobby is on there too!!! woohoo.

April 20, 2009 01:40 PM

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MM said...

I would love to win this cookbook for my daughter, as she loves “her friend, Paula” so much! We once traveled to another town to get her autograph, and found out that they had published the wrong date in the newspaper…she’d already been there!

April 20, 2009 01:40 PM

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shepp said...

I find Paula so personable, she’s so real and honest and loves to cook.